Chants get back on track with win over Gamecocks

Sergio Camargo recorded the first multi-goal game of his career to lead Coastal Carolina past South Carolina by a 3-1 count in men’s soccer action on Tuesday evening at the CCU Soccer Field.

Camargo’s two-goal game was the first for the Chanticleers this season and the first since Pedro Ribeiro scored twice in Coastal’s win over Elon in the First Round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

The Chanticleers’ victory levels both teams to 2-2-0 on the season and improves Coastal’s all-time series lead over the Gamecocks to 6-2-1. Coastal has now won each of the past five meetings against their in-state rival.

The Gamecocks struck first on the scoreboard in the fifth minute of play as Ive Burnett notched a goal from distance. Burnett launched a left-footed shot from 35-yards out on the left flank that beat Coastal’s Federico Bertele under the crossbar. The goal was Burnett’s first of the season.

Nearly eight minutes later Ribeiro converted a penalty kick to level the score at one. The penalty was set-up by a hard foul on Ricky Garbanzo inside the Gamecock’s 18-yard box. South Carolina’s Braeden Troyer was shown a red card for the infraction. The goal marked the second of the season for the preseason All-American.

Coastal tested the Gamecocks’ defense throughout the next 30 minutes, tallying nine shots to South Carolina’s two. However, South Carolina’s Beebe stood strong and kept the threatening Chanticleers from finding the back of the net.

Camargo, a freshman, notched the eventual game-winner at the 43:32 mark of the first half as he scored an easy chip-in on a loose ball in the box, making the score 2-1 in the Chants’ favor. Newcomer Kevin Le Bras was credited with the assist as it was his shot from 17-yards out that was saved by South Carolina’s Robert Beebe, but not corralled. The goal was the first of Camargo’s Chanticleer career.

Coastal kept on the attack after the half and maintained the overwhelming bulk of possession in the second stanza. But, again the Gamecock backline and goalkeeper thwarted Coastal scoring chances.

Camargo put the game away for good in the 81st minute with his second score of the night. After several minutes of build-up Coastal pushed the ball wide to Ridge Robinson on the right side of the field. Robinson made a man miss and pushed a clean cross into the box toward Agust Arnarson. Arnarson used a one-touch pass to spring Camargo ahead of the Gamecock defense inside the goal box. Camargo tucked his four-yard blast inside the far upper 90.

South Carolina was afforded a pristine scoring opportunity in the 59th minute of play after a foul was whistled against the Chants at the top of the 18. The Gamecocks’ Ryan Arambula launched a driving blast around a wall of Coastal defenders toward the goal. However, Devin Cook, who started the second half for the Chanticleers, made a diving save to preserve the 1-1 tie.

The Chants finished the game with a 17-5 advantage in shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on frame. Chanticleer goalkeeper Federico Bertele recorded a save on his way to picking up his first win of the season and 17th of his Coastal career.

Coastal returns to the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 14 at UNC Greensboro for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Chants defeated the Spartans 2-1 in last season’s meeting at the CCU Soccer Field.